Apparatus for applying cementitious linings to inner wall surfaces of liquid-holdingreceptacles



June 9, 1953 M, G, BURWELL 2,641,218

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CEMEHITIOUS LININGS T0 INNER WALL SURFACES 0FLIQUVYIBIHOLDING RECEPTACLES Filed March' 51 1951 TTRNEY Patentecl June9, 1953 APPARATS FOR APPLYING CEMEN'LITIOUS LININGS T INNER WALLASURFACES, OF LIQUID-HOLDING RECEPTACLES Maurel G. Burwell, Columbus,Ohio, assignor to Century Tank Manufacturing Company, Columbus, Ohio, acorporation of Ohio Application March 31, 1951, Serial No. 218,628

2 Claims. l

This invention relates to apparatus for applying cementitious protectivelinings to the inner surfaces of receptacles, particularly cylindricalreceptacles adapted for the reception of heated liquids, such as the hotwater holding tanks, drums or boilers of residential hot water supplyingsystems.

Hot water tanks of cylindrical configuration having vertical side wallsjoined by rounded end members are now quite commonly lined withcorrosion-resistant materials, such as cement, glass, enamels, and thelike, to protect the inner metallic surfaces of such tanks or boilersfrom direct contact with water, or other liquids introduced therein.Primarily, this is done in order to prevent corrosion and rusting ofsuch tanks, and the consequent undesirable contamination of the heatedwater with rust deposits or the like, the practice serving to prolongthe life and usefulness of such tanks.

Considerable difficulty, however, has been encountered in the manner ofeffectively distributing the lining materials over all inner surfaces ofsuch tanks or receptacles. Heretofore, the operation has beencomparatively costly, slow and laborious to perform. Also, therelatively fragile nature of the inner lining produced by such anoperation causes the same quite easily to become cracked or brokenduring shipment, handling, or use of the tanks. Again, the lining may beinjured when the outer surface of a tank carrying the same is subjectedto severe impact forces or sharp blows. Such lined tanks have also beenfound to be defective as a result of the shrinkage of the cementitiousinner lining material following initial application thereof to the innerwall surfaces of the tank, and during curing of the applied cementitiousmix. Such shrinkage causes the inner lining to separate in part, atleast, from the inner surfaces of the metallic tank structure, thusallowing the lining to become easily broken or cracked, and incapable ofwithstanding the normal pressures exerted by water or other liquidsintroduced therein particularly when such pressures are of suflicientmagnitude to provide for forced expulsion of the liquids from the tanksor receptacles.

An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide novelapparatus by which a cementitious lining may be quickly and effectivelyapplied to the inner surfaces of an enclosed tank, or otherliquid-holding receptacle', the operation of the apparatus being such asto insure the placement and retention of the lining in association withthe full area of such inner surfaces.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lining machine whichproduces simultaneously rotation of a tank or other receptacle about itsmajor longitudinal axis when a fluid cementitious mix is introducedtherein, whereby to cause uniform spreading of the solid constituents ofthe Y mix in a protective manner over the fullarea of the inner surfacesof the tank or receptacle.

It is another object of the invention to provide a machine of thiscategory wherein the drum or receptacle may be simultaneously rotatedabout its principal longitudinal axis and, in addition, tilted back andforth from one end thereof to the other in an oscillatory manner,whereby to further insure uniform distribution of the fluidlining-forming composition over the full inner surface area of suchtanks or receptacles.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for liningcylindrical tanks with cementitious compositions wherein the machineprovides for both axial rotation and longitudinal oscillation of a drumor receptacle undergoing lining, and, concomitantly therewith, toprovide vibration or similar means for delivering rapidly executedimpact forces operating on the exterior wall surfaces of the drumundergoing lining, whereby to cause the lining to adhere in a dense,compact, and permanent union with the inner surfaces of the drum orreceptacle.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a machine of thecharacter indicated, wherein the successive and simultaneous operationsindicated may be carried out while the drum undergoing lining occupies agiven position on the supporting bed of the machine, the construction ofthe machine avoiding the necessity of transferring the drum from onemachine bed to another.

The present invention accordingly consists in the provision of a machinecomprising a stationary frame on which is supported for oscillatorymovement about a substantially horizontal axis a drum-mounting bed, thelatter carrying at one end thereof a motor-driven rotary head spindle,and at the other end thereof, and in axially aligned relationship withthe head spindle, a tail spindle, the said spindles serving to hold andclamp between the same, for rotation in unison with the head spindle,the opposite ends of a cylindrical drum or receptacle to be lined with acementitious compound. Further, the invention consists in means providedin connection with the bed for imparting high and low speed rotation tothe head spindle and a drum or receptacle mounted in connectiontherewith, whereby to cause high or low speed rotation of the drum aboutits kprimary longitudinal axis; also, the invention consists in amachine of this character in which a clutch controlled powerdriveninstrumentality is provided for effecting oscillation of thespindle-carrying bed about a horizontal axis, so that the ldrumundergoing lining, and carried by the spindles of the bed, will betilted back and forth from one end there- .of to the other duringrotation of the drum about its principal axis.

Additionally, the Vinvention consists in a machine of the character setforth wherein the oscillatory bed of the machine is provided with amotor-driven shaft carrying a plurality of centrifugally responsivepivotally mounted impact devices, the latter being so arranged that,upon rotation of the shaft carrying the same, the said impact devicesstrike the peripheral surface of an associated revolving drum in amanner producing compaction of the cementitious lining formed within thedrum and the permanent adherence of the lining with the drum walls.

The invention further consists in the provision of a machine forliningthe interior of metallic drums which is characterized by itssimplicity, ease of control, and the rapidity with which the liningoperations may be carried out.

For a further understanding of the invention, reference is to be had tothe following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig, 1 is a view partly in vertical section, disclosing a machine forproducing cementitious linings in metallic drums and formed inaccordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken through the machineon the plane indicated by the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the machine.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral I' designatesthe frame of my improved lining-producing machine. The frame in thisinstance is formed to include vertically positioned transversely spacedleg-forming side members 2, the latter being united at intervals bytransversely extending stationary beams 3 which form component parts ofthe frame I, producing a stable upright structure.

Carried by the side members 2 are horizontally disposed trunnions 4.Supported for rocking movement by these trunnions is an oscillatory bedplate 5. The bed plate is formed to rotatably support a cylindricalmetallic drum of the type indicated at 6. Such drums are commonly usedin hot water heating systems and comprise the customary cylindricalmetallic shell of substantially uniform cross-sectional area throughoutits length, the ends of the drum being closed by upper and lower headsindicated at I and 8, respectively. The head 'I is formed, as usual,with pipe-receiving openings 9, and the side of the drum is equippedwith a removable plug as indicated at Ill. The drum is adapted to beremovably positioned on the bed plate in a manner permitting rotation ofthe drum about its major longitudinal axis, and also to enable the drumto be tilted vertically by turning movement about the axis affordedthrough the horizontal trunnions 4, whereby lining material in asubstantially fluidic state, and positioned in the drum, will be causedto contact uniformly all the inner surfaces of the drum, coating suchsurfaces with the lining material.

To removably support the drum '6 on the bed plate, the latter isprovided at one end with a rotary head spindle II, and at its oppositeend with a rotary tail spindle I2. The head spindle preferably comprisesa disk I3 from which project a pair of spaced studs I4, the latter beingloosely received in the pipe receiving openings 9 formed in the head 1of the drum 6, whereby to effect the support of the normally upper endof the drum in connection with the head spindle and to provide for therotation of the drum in unison with said last-named spindle.

Further, the head spindle II provides a driven shaft I5 on which thedisk I3 is mounted. This shaft is carried by a gear housing I 6. Withinthe housing, suitable gearing, not shown, is provided which is driven bythe electric motor or the equivalent thereof, shown at Il. Preferablyincluded in the housing I6 is a rheostat, controlled by the operation ofthe manually operated handle I'8, by which the speed of the motor I'Imay be varied, whereby to impart relatively high speed rotation to thedrum or low speed, depending upon the control conditions desired, aswill be hereinafter more fully explained. It will be understood that themotor I 1 and the gear housing I6 are suitably supported on the forwardor head end of the bed plate, and move in unison therewith, as indicatedby full and dotted lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

The tail spindle I2 comprises a swiveled rotatable disk I9 which ismounted for rotation on the forward end of a longitudinally adjustablescrew shaft 20, the shaft being supported in connection with a threadedjournal member 2| carried by the rear or tail end 0f the bed plate. Therear end of the shaft 20 is equipped with a hand wheel 22 by which thescrew shaft may be rotated to bring the swiveled disk I9 into and out ofengagement with the axial portion of the lower head 8 of the drum 6. Bythis construction, the head end of the drum positively receives andmaintains the studs I4, openings 9 and drum heads 1, supporting the drumfor rotation about its major longitudinal axis and enabling the drum tobe driven by the motor I1 and associated gearing contained in thetransmission member I6. Since the motor is of the variable speed type,the operation of the rheostat control I8 enables the drum to rotate at adesired rate of speed best adapted for securing efcient distribution ofthe cementitious mix over the inner surfaces of the drum.

In addition to the rotary motion imparted to the drum about its majorlongitudinal axis, the said drum is also oscillated by rocking the bedplate about its trunnions 4. Such rocking movement is obtained by powerderived from the motor I1. Thus, the motor drives through thetransmission I6 a horizontal shaft 23. Slidably keyed to the shaft 23 isthe sliding collar 24 of a jaw clutch, the collar 24 engaging with acomplemental collar 25 which is xed to a shaft 26, the latter beingdisposed in alignment with the shaft or sleeve 23. The shaft 26 extendsinto a casing 2l secured to and depending from the under side of the bedplate 5. Within the casing 2l, the shaft 26 is provided with a worm 28which meshes with a worm gear 29, the latter being fixed to a shaft 30which carries a disk shown at 3|. Eccentrically connected at one side ofthis disk by a wrist pin shown at 32 is the upper end of a fixed pitmanrod 33, the lower end of said rod being pivotally mounted as at 34 inconnection with the base of the machine, either as a part of the frame Ior on the floor 35.

It will be seen that as the disk 3| is rotated, the pitman rod 33pivotally connected therewith produces oscillatory movement of the bedplate and the motor-driven drum positioned thereon, the drive serving torock the drum back and forth about a horizontal axis, whereby a uidicliningforming mix positioned in the drum is caused to contact all theinner surfaces of the drum while the latter is being so rotated andtilted.

Another feature of the present invention resides in providing the bedplate with a shaft 36 which is journaled for rotation in adjacent andparallel relationship to one side of a drum 6 when the latter isoperatively positioned on the machine. The shaft 36 has the forward endthereof arranged in the gear housing I6 and the opposite end thereofsuitably supported for rotation in a bearing bracket indicated at 3l.Carried by the shaft 36 at closely spaced longitudinal intervals aredisks 38, and to each of these disks there is pivoted as at 39 the innerends of a pair of impact-producing arms 40, the latter swing about thepivots 39 so that their outer ends may be brought into striking contactat desired intervals with the drum. The rotary fiailing arms 40 arearranged to strike the outer surface of the tank body along a lineextending substantially throughout the length of the tank, and atrelatively closely spaced intervals.

In the operation of the machine, a cementitious mix is first introducedin desired quantity into a drum rotatably supported on the oscillatorybed of the machine. The tank is rst rotated for a short period of time,for example, approximately 5 to 8 seconds before subjecting the same tovibration. Such rotation permits the cementitious lining or aggregatematerial to be forcibly deposited in a uniform layer against the innerwall of the tank body prior to vibration.

The nailing arms are operated through the rotation of the shaft 36,imparting relatively high speed vibrations to the tank, which vibrationsserve to compact and densify the cementitious mix in layer form againstthe inner wall surfaces of the drum. After a predetermined spinning andvibrating cycle, the tank is permitted to come to rest. At this time,the plug lil in the tank body is removed to permit excess water,originally contained in or expressed from the cementitious mix duringthe initial spinning and vibrating cycle, to drain from the interior ofthe tank. Preferably, after such drainage, the plug or spud Il) isreplaced and a second spinning and vibrating cycle is commenced andcontinued for another period of time, for example, approximatelyseconds. At the end of the second spinning and vibrating cycle, theaggregate mix usually is completely cured, this being due to the removalof the excess water as well as the chemical nature of the mix itself.Upon first introducing the cementing mix into the tank through theopening l0 and sealing the same therein, the drum is rotated slowlywhile the bed plate is being tilted back and forth. The speed ofrotation may then be increased, and the back and forth tilting movementsuspended.

Certain preferred methods for carrying out the present invention havebeen set forth in my copending application, Serial No. 216,174, filedMarch 17, 1951, of which this application forms a continuation-in-part.

It will be observed that all the handling operations are effected whilethe drum is retained in a supported position on the bed plate. It is notnecessary to transfer the drum from one machine to another in impartingthe desired forces thereto. Preferably, while the lining-formingoperations are taking place, the exterior of the drum may be sprayedwith a paint or enamel to impart a finish-producing exterior coatingthereto. When removed from the machine, the drum comprises an internallylined and completed commercial product on which no further manufacturingor processing steps are required.

I claim:

1. In a machine for applying a cementitious lining to the interiorsurfaces of a cylindrical tank having end closures; a bed frame; a pairof rotary tank-supporting members carried in longitudinally spacedrelation on said frame and engageable with the end closures of a tankfor supporting the latter for rotation about its longitudinal axis;means carried by said frame and drivingly connected with one of saidtank-supporting members for imparting high speed rotation to said one ofsaid members and a tank supported between said members, whereby tocentrifugally deposit a cementitious mix introduced within the tankuniformly over the inner surfaces thereof; shaft means journaled on saidframe and disposed in adjacent, parallel, coextensive relation to theouter side surface of a tank supported between said members; meansdrivingly connected with said shaft means for imparting axial rotationthereto during rotation of the tank; and a plurality of flailing devicescarried at longitudinally spaced intervals along said shaft means andengageable with the outer side surfaces of the tank during rotation ofsaid shaft means for imparting vibrational forces to the tanksubstantially throughout its entire length, whereby to compact acementitious mix centrifugally deposited against the inner surfaces ofthe tank during high speed rotation of the latter.

2. Apparatus for applying a cementitious lining to the inner surfaces ofa hot water tank comprising a bed frame; a pair of bolsters rigidlycarried in longitudinally spaced relation on said frame; a pair ofrotary tank-supporting members carried by said bolsters and engageablewith a tank at the respective ends thereof for supporting the tank forrotation about its longitudinal axis; means connected with one of saidmembers for adjusting the longitudinal spacing thereof with respect tothe other of said members; motor means carried by said frame; drivemeans connected between said motor means and one of said tank-supportingmembers for imparting higher speed rotation to said one of said membersand a tank supported between said members, whereby to cause acementitious mix introduced within the tank to be centrifugallydeposited in a uniform layer over the inner side surface of the tank;shaft means journaled on said frame in adjacent, parallel, coextensiverelation to the outer side surface of a tank supported between saidmembers; means drivingly connecting said shaft means with said motormeans for imparting axial rotation to said shaft means during rotationof a tank carried between said members; and a plurality of knocker armspivotally carried by said shaft means at longitudinally spaced intervalstherealong and engageable with the outer side surface of a tank carriedbetween said members for imparting vibrational forces to the tankthroughout substantially its entire length during rotation thereof, andthereby compacting a cementitious mix deposited against the inner sidewall of the tank.

MAUREL G. BURWELL.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,323,644 Nordell Dec. 2, 1919 1,676,815 Beatty July 10, 19281,867,837 Jackson July 19, 1932 2,148,558 Huebner Feb. 29, 19392,446,476 Huebner Aug. 3, 1948

